Tips for the Ultimate Iceland Road Trip

Rent a Campervan

Even if you’ve never been in a campervan before, Iceland is an amazing place to start. The country’s stunning scenery and sparse population make it seem as if you have the entire place to yourself, and each vista is better than the last.

Follow the Ring Road

The Ring Road—or Route 1, as it’s known to locals—connects most inhabited areas and tourist attractions in Iceland. It makes road trips incredibly easy: As long as you stick to the road, you can’t get lost and you’ll see all of the best sites.

Follow the Ring Road

The entire loop can be completed in about 10 days; if you only have five days, plan to head to Höfn and back to Reykjavik, or up to the fjords.

Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a hub of tourist attractions within a day’s drive of Reykjavik: a regularly erupting geyser, an epic waterfall, and a gorgeous national park. Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir are all worth seeing; however, be prepared for more tour buses and crowds than you’ll see anywhere else in Iceland. It’s worth incorporating into an itinerary, but know that the best sites are off the tourist track.

Know the Law of Survival

The law of survival states that you can sleep on any man’s land and eat anything that grows on that land for one night. What this means for modern travelers: You can park and sleep anywhere—on the beach, next to a waterfall, on private property, in a national park, at a designated rest stop. You can fall asleep and wake up to million-dollar views—for free!

Chase the Midnight Sun

If you’re intent on seeing the Northern Lights, head to Iceland in the winter. But if you’re interested in a road trip, travel between May and September. Daylight can last up to 24 hours in the peak of summer. That means more time to drive each day—and more time to see all of the gorgeous scenery.

Eat at Gas Stations

The food options on the road are limited and quite expensive (think $20 for a bowl of mediocre stew at a rest-stop restaurant). But most gas stations have a decent array of cheap, tasty staples: steaming hot coffee in the morning, bacon-wrapped hot dogs with a variety of onion relishes, soft serve ice cream that can be dipped in cherry or chocolate. There’s also a small grocery section: Pick up a loaf of multigrain bread and a jar of peanut butter for snacks on the go.

Don’t Forget a Swimsuit

Iceland has an incredible array of natural hot springs and serene swimming holes that are easily accessible from the Ring Road. Your first destination from the airport should be the Blue Lagoon. The Fly Bus has a package that includes transport straight there, and on to Reykjavik’s city center, for approximately €20. The Blue Lagoon itself can be pricey (€35–€60 depending on service) and crowded—it’s often described as the Disneyland of the Icelandic hot springs—but it will help you achieve vacation bliss from the moment you step off the plane. Once you’ve checked that off the list, get off the beaten path and head to Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool or Hrunalaug Natural Hot Spring.

Go Public

If a town in Iceland is big enough for a grocery store, it likely has a public pool. For about $5, you get entry to a lap pool, two hot tubs, a sauna, a steam room and public showers—and sometimes, even a water slide. After a stop at a gas station for a cup of hot coffee, it’s the best way to start a campervan morning.